Antoni Szumny

Composition and antioxidant activity of red fruit liqueurs.

Fruits traditionally used for liqueurs are a good source of phenolic compounds endowed with antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to compare the content of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins and the antioxidant capacity of liqueurs made from red fruits. The liqueurs were made from fruits of 10 species: chokeberry, cornelian cherry, black rose, blackcurrant, blackberry, raspberry, mahonia, sloe, strawberry, and sour cherry. The liqueurs from black rose, chokeberry, sloe and mahonia fruits contained the most of substances which react with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (671, 329, 271 and 218 mg GAE/100 mL, respectively) and had the highest antioxidant activity. The samples stored at a temperature of 30 °C had antioxidant activity from 3% to 11% lower than the fresh samples. After 6 months, anthocyanins degraded almost completely in the samples stored at 30 °C and at 15 °C there was from 0% (blackcurrant liqueurs) to 47% (sloe liqueurs) of their initial content and slightly more in sweet liqueurs.

Effects of Drying Methods on the Composition of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Essential Oil

The influence of drying method on aroma compounds of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) was evaluated. The drying methods tested were convective drying, vacuum–microwave drying, and freeze drying, as well as a combination of convective predrying and VM finish drying. Thymes convective drying kinetics are described by a two-term exponential model, and VM drying kinetics consisted of two periods: a constant rate period until a critical moisture ratio (values of 0.311, 0.242, and 0.162 kg kg−1 for 240, 360, and 480 W, respectively) was obtained and a falling rate period beyond that point. Volatile compounds of thyme samples were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography. Thirty-three compounds were tentatively identified; thymol, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, caryophyllene, and α-terpinene were the major components. The total quantity of volatiles of fresh thyme (1,167 mg 100 g−1 db) was reduced by most of the drying treatments, with the exception of VM at 240 and 360 W. The combined method with 40°C and 240 W was the best option for drying thyme; the time required was relatively short (≈ 301 min) and aroma quality was good according to instrumental data (total concentration of volatiles 1,127 mg 100 g−1 db) and sensory evaluation results (high scores for fresh thyme and vegetable odors).

β‐caryophyllene and β‐caryophyllene oxide—natural compounds of anticancer and analgesic properties

Natural bicyclic sesquiterpenes, β‐caryophyllene (BCP) and β‐caryophyllene oxide (BCPO), are present in a large number of plants worldwide. Both BCP and BCPO (BCP(O)) possess significant anticancer activities, affecting growth and proliferation of numerous cancer cells. Nevertheless, their antineoplastic effects have hardly been investigated in vivo. In addition, both compounds potentiate the classical drug efficacy by augmenting their concentrations inside the cells. The mechanisms underlying the anticancer activities of these sesquiterpenes are poorly described. BCP is a phytocannabinoid with strong affinity to cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), but not cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). In opposite, BCP oxidation derivative, BCPO, does not exhibit CB1/2 binding, thus the mechanism of its action is not related to endocannabinoid system (ECS) machinery. It is known that BCPO alters several key pathways for cancer development, such as mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K/AKT/mTOR/S6K1 and STAT3 pathways. In addition, treatment with this compound reduces the expression of procancer genes/proteins, while increases the levels of those with proapoptotic properties. The selective activation of CB2 may be considered a novel strategy in pain treatment, devoid of psychoactive side effects associated with CB1 stimulation. Thus, BCP as selective CB2 activator may be taken into account as potential natural analgesic drug. Moreover, due to the fact that chronic pain is often an element of cancer disease, the double activity of BCP, anticancer and analgesic, as well as its beneficial influence on the efficacy of classical chemotherapeutics, is particularly valuable in oncology. This review is focused on anticancer and analgesic activities of BCP and BCPO, the mechanisms of their actions, and potential therapeutic utility.

Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of Thuja occidentalis and Tanacetum vulgare essential oils against larvae of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus

The chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Thuja occidentalis L. (Cupressaceae) and Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae), obtained by steam distillation, and their insecticidal activity against larvae (10 and 20 days old) of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), were studied. The activity of the oils was compared with the activity of their major components, α‐ and β‐thujone. Isolation, identification, and quantification of the volatile compounds were performed using a gas chromatograph (GC) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). The major components of T. occidentalis EO were the monoterpenoid ketones α‐thujone (69.8%), β‐thujone (9.5%), and fenchone (7.8%). The monoterpenoid alcohols terpinene‐4‐ol and p‐cymene‐8‐ol, and the diterpenoid beyerene were only present in low amounts (<3.0%). All other compounds occurred in traces. In contrast to the thuja oil, the main compounds found in the EO of T. vulgare were β‐thujone (61.0%), camphor (13.0%), and trans‐chrysanthenyl acetate (6.5%). The insecticidal activity of both EOs and pure monoterpenes incorporated into a diet as acetone solutions at a concentration of 10 mg ml−1 depended on the age of A. diaperinus larvae. Young larvae displayed a higher sensitivity toward the tested chemicals than older ones. The survival of 10‐day‐old larvae, their body mass gain, and pupation rate were affected. The growth and development of the older larvae were similar to those of the control. In all tests, there were no significant differences between the activities of the EOs and their major components.

Oil Secretory System in Vegetative Organs of Three Arnica Taxa: Essential Oil Synthesis, Distribution and Accumulation.

Arnica, a genus including the medicinal species A. montana, in its Arbo variety, and A. chamissonis, is among the plants richest in essential oils used as pharmaceutical materials. Despite its extensive use, the role of anatomy and histochemistry in the internal secretory system producing the essential oil is poorly understood. Anatomical sections allowed differentiation between two forms of secretory structures which differ according to their distribution in plants. The first axial type is connected to the vascular system of all vegetative organs and forms canals lined with epithelial cells. The second cortical type is represented by elongated intercellular spaces filled with oil formed only between the cortex cells of roots and rhizomes at maturity, with canals lacking an epithelial layer.Only in A. montana rhizomes do secretory structures form huge characteristic reservoirs. Computed tomography illustrates their spatial distribution and fusiform shape. The axial type of root secretory canals is formed at the interface between the endodermis and cortex parenchyma, while, in the stem, they are located in direct contact with veinal parenchyma. The peripheral phloem parenchyma cells are arranged in strands around sieve tube elements which possess a unique ability to accumulate large amounts of oil bodies. The cells of phloem parenchyma give rise to the aforementioned secretory structures while the lipid components (triacylglycerols) stored there support the biosynthesis of essential oils by later becoming a medium in which these oils are dissolved. The results indicate the integrity of axial secretory structures forming a continuous system in vegetative plant organs.

Volatile composition and sensory profile of Cantharellus cibarius Fr. as affected by drying method

BACKGROUND In this work, the influence of different drying methods on the aroma composition and sensory quality of chanterelle mushrooms (Cantharellus cibarius Fr.) was evaluated. The drying methods tested were convective drying (CD), freeze drying (FD), vacuum microwave drying (VMD) and a combination of convective pre-drying and vacuum microwave finish drying (CPD-VMFD). RESULTS Analyses of fresh and dried chanterelle samples by HS-SPME and GC/MS and GC-FID showed the presence of 39 volatile compounds at different concentrations. The most abundant compounds in fresh chanterelle were 1-hexanol (33.4 μg per 100 g dry basis (db)), 1-octen-3-ol (80.2 μg per 100 g db) and 2-octen-1-ol (19.3 μg per 100 g db). The results showed that fresh and dried chanterelle contained very low levels of aroma compounds; however, the highest contents of volatile compounds were found in samples after (i) CD at 80 °C (129 μg per 100 g db), (ii) CPD-VMFD at 70 °C-480/240 W (136 μg per 100 g db) and (iii) CPD-VMFD at 80 °C-480/240 W (136 μg per 100 g db). CONCLUSION The best dehydration methods, which resulted in high contents of volatile compounds and appropriate sensory quality, according to descriptive sensory analysis and PCA tools, were CD at 70 and 80 °C. Besides, these methods led to spongy dried mushrooms with high intensities of fresh, mushroom ID, with proper color and without intense shrinkage.

Application of Cornelian Cherry Iridoid-Polyphenolic Fraction and Loganic Acid to Reduce Intraocular Pressure

One of the most common diseases of old age in modern societies is glaucoma. It is strongly connected with increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and could permanently damage vision in the affected eye. As there are only a limited number of chemical compounds that can decrease IOP as well as blood flow in eye vessels, the up-to-date investigation of new molecules is important. The chemical composition of the dried Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) polar, iridoid-polyphenol-rich fraction was investigated. Loganic acid (50%) and pelargonidin-3-galactoside (7%) were found as the main components. Among the other constituents, iridoid compound cornuside and the anthocyans cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, cyanidin 3-O-robinobioside, and pelargonidin 3-O-robinobioside were quantified in the fraction. In an animal model (New Zealand rabbits), the influence of loganic acid and the polyphenolic fraction isolated from Cornelian cherry fruit was investigated. We found a strong IOP-hypotensive effect for a 0.7% solution of loganic acid, which could be compared with the widely ophthalmologically used timolol. About a 25% decrease in IOP was observed within the first 3 hours of use.

Antioxidant activity and spectroscopic data of isoxanthohomol oxime and related compounds

Oximes of isoxanthohumol (IXN), naringenin (N) and flavanone (FL) were synthesized with yields of 88-95% and their antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method. Although naringenin oxime (NOX) and flavanone oxime (FLOX) did not have any significant antioxidant effect (EC50=2.21 mM and 78.7 mM, respectively), isoxanthohumol oxime (IXNOX) showed a strong antioxidant activity (EC50=0.0411 mM), comparable to the activity of ascorbic acid (EC50=0.0181 mM). The structure of new compound IXNOX was established using (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, by comparison to IXN, NOX and FLOX.

Morphological characteristics of modified freeze-dried poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microspheres studied by optical microscopy, SEM, and DLS

Influence of the initiator and additional hydrophobic copolymer on the morphology of thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) microspheres, and their presumed application for the stabilization of biologically active molecules were evaluated in this study. Three different types of pNIPAM were synthesized, applying various components: PN1 is a polymer with terminal anionic groups resulting from potassium persulfate initiator; PN2 was synthesized with a 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride initiator introducing cationic amidine terminal groups; in the PN3 polymer, anionic terminals were implemented, however, increased hydrophobicity was maintained using N-tert-butyl functional groups. Turbidity measurements of the obtained dispersions confirmed specific thermosensitivity of synthesized microspheres in the range of 32–33°C. The polymerization course was proved by infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR assessments, whereas the size of the synthesized microspheres, expressed as planar area, was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). The respective surface patterns of the freeze-dried microspheres were evaluated by SEM. Planar area of the synthesized macromolecules was in the range between 0.41–3.22 μm, depending on the substrates composition and the method applied for the measurements. The assessments performed in the dry stage gave higher values of the diameter and planar area of the observed microspheres. The measured diameter and planar area increased in the following order for the PN3 microspheres: DLS, OM, SEM. In the case of PN1 and PN2, the observed diameters were positioned as: DLS, SEM, OM. These differences were assigned both to varied intramolecular hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions of the polymer chains and to the environment, i.e. low pressure in the SEM conditions and aqueous solvent in the DLS measurements. The observed gaps in the freeze-dried PN2 polymer resulted in an attempt to evaluate the application of this polymer for mechanical stabilization of certain macromolecules or nanocrystals in the size range between 10 nm and 20 nm.

Chemical composition, antimicromicrobial activity and insecticidal activity against the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Link) and Artemisia dracunculus L. essential oils

BACKGROUND Essential oils (EOs) from Artemisia dracunculus L. and Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum were obtained and the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the extracts was investigated. The insecticidal activity of EOs against the larval stages of Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) was studied. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of these oils against pathogens transmitted by this pest was also investigated. RESULTS The obtained results indicate the possibility of using Greek oregano EO with a high content of carvacrol as a feed additive in poultry nutrition. The use of the Greek oregano oil at 1% (w/w) dose showed stronger reduction of body weight gain of stage IV larvae. Their body mass was only 10.92% of the control. Moreover, EOs from O. vulgare strongly inhibited the growth of tested bacterial strains as well as Candida albicans. CONCLUSION Greek oregano EO may be a good alternative to antibiotic growth promoters and coccidiostats whose use in feeding farm animals has been prohibited since January 2006 under European Union directives. The introduction of O. vulgare L. ssp. hirtum EO into the premises of farm and poultry houses may help to improve sanitary conditions and control of the lesser mealworm inhabiting these buildings.